Trivia

An accomplished musician, he was a violin virtuoso at age 8, playing solo with the junior symphony orchestra.

In Suitable for Framing (1971), many a viewer notes the marvelous interplay between Martin and Peter Falk. This is to be expected; Martin was Falk's acting instructor in years past. The two also worked together in The Great Race (1965).

His natural ability for dialects led him to radio while in his 20s, performing on three daytime radio serials at once, including the part of a 62-year-old Viennese gent. At one time, the prolific actor was a regular in eight separate major series on all the different networks. He ended up with his own radio program, "The Ross Martin Show.".

Best remembered by the public for his co-starring role as "Artemus Gordon" in The Wild Wild West (1965).

At the time of his death in 1981, Martin and Robert Conrad were in the planning stages of another "Wild, Wild West" TV series.

With a penchant for playing villains, he received a Golden Globe nomination for his terrifying role in Experiment in Terror (1962). As a promotion and publicity stunt for the film, Columbia chose to withheld the identity of Martin from the press until the film opened. It helped bring interest to the film, but in the long run, hurt the unknown Martin.

A singer on Broadway, he played Nathan Detroit in a Broadway touring company of "Guys and Dolls" in the 1950s.

One half of a vaudeville comedy duo from 1937-1941 called "Ross & West." His partner was Bernard West.

He is interred in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Was separated from first wife Muriel at the time of her death; they had one daughter together. He later adopted his second wife's son and daughter.

His wife Olavee Grinrod, died February 3, 2002.

Had two daughters: Phyllis, Rebecca; one son, George.

Was a celebrity guest player on Card Sharks in 1980.

Born on exactly the same date as Werner Klemperer (of Hogan's Heroes (1965) fame).

He didn't love horses he only tolerated them.